Rectifier tube socket



July 3, 1951 H. HUBBELL ET AL 2,558,755

RECTIFIER TUBE SOCKET Filed June 14, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 mil V 'I n I g f 4 4 4 y 1951 H. HUBBELL ET AL 2,558,755

RECTIFIER TUBE SOCKET Filed June 14, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented july 3, 1951 RECTIFIER TUBE SOCKET Harvey Hubbell, Long Hill, and Joseph F. Healy, Bridgeport, Conn., assignors to Harvey Hubbell, Incorporated, Bridgeport, Cnn., a corporation of Connecticut Application June 14, 1944, Serial No. 540,300

This invention relates to a socket for electronic tubes, particularly a rectifier tube, and has for an object to provide an improved and simplified socket construction and especially an improved type of contacts, which will insure the proper electrical connection.

Another object is to provide a contact which will insure the proper electrical connection indefinitely no matter how often or how many times a tube may be inserted into or removed from the socket.

With the foregoing and other objects in view we have devised the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification. It is, however, to be understood the invention is not limited to the specific construction and arrangement shown but may embody various changes and modifications within the scope of the invention.

In these drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front or top view of the panel with our improved socket mounted thereon;

Fig. 2 is a section substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing the base of a rectifier tube in place in the socket;

Fig. 3 is a detailed section substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; I

Fig. 4 is a section substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a bottom or rear View of thesocket removed from the panel;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation thereof with parts broken away and showing the base of a rectifier tube in the socket;

Fig. 7 is the top plan or front view of the contacts;

Fig. 8 is a side view thereof;

Fig. 9 is a section substantially on the line 99 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a plan View of a key or locating element for the tube;

Fig. 11 is a side view thereof, and

Fig. 12 is a view looking from the left in Fig. 11.

The device comprises a substantially flat annular ring or body i5 of insulating material adapted to be mounted on one side, usually the rear or underside, of a sheet metal panel 16 having a scallop shaped opening ll, the opening I8 in the ring shaped body being in alignment with the opening in the panel. The opening in the panel instead of being circular is scallop shaped or has theloops l9 to clear the mounting means for the contacts 20 including the bosses 2| on the insulating body and the mounting rivets 22 mounted with their heads 11 Claims. (Cl. 173328) enclosed by these bosses. This arrangement provides plenty of clearance between the rivets and the panel to reduce electrical leakage to a minimum. The body may be of suitable insulating material, such for example as steatite impregnated with ceresin wax and the forward or top surface may be glazed.

On the under or rear side of the body I5 are provided shallow channels 23 extending radially across the body in which are mounted the socket contacts 20. The contacts are preferably formed of resilient sheet metal and each contact comprises a channel shaped body 24 including a base or bottom wall 25 and side flanges 26. The flanges are extended beyond the bottom wall 25 at one end and are oppositely concavely curved, as indicated at 21, to form a socket to receive the contact pins 28 of the electronic tube, such for example as a rectifier tube 29, projecting from the insulating base 30. The curved portion 21 is extended laterally, as shown at 3|,

to increase the length of the socket and .thus

increase the electrical contact surface with the contact pin 28 and also to provide extensions which may be embraced by a coil spring 32. This spring tends to compress the curved portion about the contact pin and is made so that when the pin is removed the socket is contracted somewhat and when the pin is inserted the curved sides of the 'socket'are separated or forced apart somewhat to expand the spring and thus insure good electrical contact between the socket and the pin. The upper ends of the curved portions of the socket are preferably flared outwardly somewhat as shown at 33 so as to retain the spring 32 on the socket and also to guide the pin 28 into the socket. v v

The opposite end of the bottom wall or base 25 is extended outwardl and bent backwardly to form an car 34 to which the leads 35 may be connected. For this purpose the ear may be provided with openings 36 through which the stripped wire may be threaded and then soldered to the ear. The base may be pressed laterally as indicated at 31 to form a lug to seat in a corresponding recess in the insulating body 15 to help locate the contact and prevent its shifting. The

contact is held in position in the channels 23 by means of the rivet 22 passing through an opening in the base 25. There may also be located about the rivet immediately under this base and set into a recess in the body I5 a washer 38 made of suitable plastic or. compressed fiber and some- ;what resilient to give a certain cushioning effect in setting the rivet and prevent cracking of the insulated base.

It will be seen that the contacts 20 project from the annular body 15 into the central opening I8 to locate the sockets 21 in the proper positions in this opening to correspond with the placing of the contact pins 28 of the electronic tube 29. It is preferred that the bottom or base wall 25 be extended somewhat beyond the edge of the opening l8, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, to form a seat for the insulating base member 35 of the tube to limit its movement into the socket and also properly locate it therein.

The opening I8 in the socket issomewhat larger than the diameter of the base 39. of the tube to permit easy insertion of the tube in the socket. Means is provided for properly locating this tube or polarizing it so that the contact pins 28 will always be inserted in the proper socket contacts. 20. For this purpose a key 39 is mounted on one side of the opening [8. Itincludes a base portion inclined outwardly. The insulating base so of the rectifier tube is provided with a transverse notch 43 properly located sothat when the tube isinserted in the socket with the key 39 in this notch the contact pins 28 are properly lined up with the correct contacts 20 of the socket and the tube can be inserted in the socket in this one position only. The inclined portion 42 tends to assist in uiding the tube intothe socket. A lug 44 is pressed upwardly from the base 40 to seat in a corresponding notch in the insulating body [5, as shown in Fig. 3, and cooperates with the securing rivet 45 in mounting the key on the body member and prevents its turning from the proper position.

Means is also provided for locking the tube 29.

in the socket. For this purpose there is provided locking means on two diametrically opposite sides of the socket, indicated at 46, These locks are formed from resilient sheet metal and include a base 41 resting on the top surface of the panel gers 48 and the body portion 41" is ofiset or bent downwardly as shown at 49 to bring the finger 48 into'proper position to rest on topof the base 30, and the resilient or spring action of the fingers holds the base 30 against the contacts 20; One lockismounted on the panelby a bolt-50 passing through the hollow rivet 45 and the other in a similar rivet 5|, the rivet 45 beingalso used to mount the key 39. The bolt Wins a noncircular, such as a square, head 52- and one edge ofthe base 46 of the lock is bent upwardly to form an ear or lug 53 engaging one side of the bolt headwith the finger 48. in the holding position over the tube base 30 to the dotted line position out-- of this opening and thus permit insertion or-removal of the rectifier tube 29 into or from the socket. After the tube is inserted in place the bolt may be turned toswing the. lock back tothe full line position with the finger 48 resting on top of the base 30. To facilitate turning of the bolt and the lock the head of the bolt may be provided with a slot 54 for insertion of a screw driver. The bolts turn in the rivets 45 and 5| to swing the locks as indicated and may be secured by a lock nut 55. This nut ma be notched 'or slit on one side as indicated at 58 and the outer side bentinwardly so as to cramp or bind on the thread and automatically lock the nut. As these bolts also pass through the panel 16 they assist in securing the socket to the panel. Other securing bolts 56 may beemployed passing through openings 57 in the body l5; and corresponding openings in the panel to provide additional mounting means for the socket on thepanel.

It Will be evident from the above that the socket is of very simple construction, and especially that the improved socket contacts assure a proper and uniform friction between them and the pin contacts of the electronic tube to insure properand uniform electrical contact between them, and such proper and uniform friction will be provided indefinitely and will not be materially affected by numerous insertions or removal of the electronic tubes. The socket contacts will also automatically adjust themselves to variations in the tube contact pins 28 to insure at all times the proper and uniform friction and electrical contact between them. Due to the coil spring 32; there is no danger of the opposite resilient sidev portions 2'! of the socket contacts being separated too far or bent out of position tothus prevent securing the proper electrical contact when the rectifier tube is inserted in the socket.

Having thus set forth the nature of our invention, what we claim is:

l. A- rectifier tube socket-comprising, a substantially flat annular ringof insulating material, contacts mounted on the rear side of said ring each comprising a channel shaped body extending over the opening providing a seat for the base of the tube when in said opening with one end portion of each of the sidefianges extending beyond the channel portion into the opening in the ring. and; said; portions oppositely curved forming a socket extending paralleltothe axis,

of the opening to receive a contact pin, eachof said curved portions being extended laterally in the same directionfrom onegedge of its flange extension, and a coiled spring embracing the extended curved portionsto clamp them about the pin,

2. A rectifier tube socket comprising an annular ring, of insulating material; means for mounting the ring on one side of a panel plate over an opening therein, contacts mounted on the ring. on the oppositeside from the panel each comprising a channel shaped body. extending inwardly over the opening forming a seat opening in the ring and concavely curved in opposite directions forming asocket extending parallel to the axis of the opening to receive a pin contact, each of-said curved portions being extended laterally in the same direction from one edge of its flange extension, and a coiled" spring embracing the extended curvedportions' to clamp them about the pin.

3. A rectifiertube socket comprising an annular ring ofinsulating material, contacts mounted on-the rear-side ofthe ring each comtube when in the opening and with one end por I tion of each of the side flanges projecting into the opening-in the r ing-, each ot-said end portions being extended laterally in; the same direction: from; one edgev of its flangeextension, said lateral? extensions being concavely curved in opposite directions forming a socket'extending at right anglesto the plane of thering for a contact pin, and a coiled spring embracing said curved portions to clamp them about the pin.

4. A tube socket of the character described comprising an annular ring of insulating material provided with radially extending channels in .one side surface, contacts mounted in said channels each comprising a body portion seated in the channel and extending into the opening in the base forming a seat for the base of the tube to support it, opposed flanges extending beyond said base and oppositely concaved to provide a socket to receive a contact pin on the tube base, said curved portions being elongated laterally each from one edge thereof and in the same direction, and a coiled spring embracing part of said curved portion to clamp them about the pin.

5. A tube socket of the character described comprising a substantially flat annular ring of insulating material, contacts mounted on the rear side of the ring each comprising a base portion secured to the ring and extending over the opening forming a seat for the base of a tube in said opening, said contacts also comprising a pair of opposed extensions projecting into the opening in the ring and oppositely concaved forming a socket extending at right angles to the plane of the ring to receive a contact pin on a tube base between them, said curved portions being elongated beyond the edges of their extensions, and a coiled spring embracing part of the elongated parts of said curved portions to clamp them about the pin.

6. A tube socket of the character described comprising an annular ring of insulating material, contacts mounted on one side of the ring and each extending into the opening in the ring and provided with a spring socket to embrace a contact pin on the base of a rectifier tube inserted in the opening, and a key mounted on the base and located in the opening at the edge thereof, said key including a bar portion extending forwardly from the base adapted to seat in a notch in the base of the tube to angularly position the tube in the socket with the pins in alignment with the spring sockets and inclined outwardly from the opening to guide the base of the tube-to the opening.

7; A tube socket of the character described comprising an annular ring of insulating material, contacts mounted on one side of the ring and each extending into the opening in the ring and provided with a spring socket to embrace a contact pin on the base of a rectifier tube inserted in the opening, and a key mounted on the inner side of the base and including an extension extending forwardly through the opening at one edge thereof beyond the face of the ring adapted to. seat in a notch in the base of the tube to ang arly position the tube in the opening with its ii nn's in"alignment with the spring sockets, an'dthe oute'r end portion of the key being inclined outwardly and radially away from the opening to guide the base of the tube into the nin 6 8. A tube socket. oi, the, character described comprising an annular ring of insulating material, contacts mounted on one-side-of thejring, and each extending into the opening in the ring and provided witha spring socket to, embrace a contact pin on the base of, a rectifier tube in.- serted' in the opening and forming a seat, for said? base, and locking members, pivotallyT-mounted on the'ring at the entrance, side of the, socket to, turninthe plane of'the ring comprising spring; members each having a finger adapted to lie over the tube base to retain it in the socket, and means for turning the spring members to carry the fingers outwardly away from the tube base to release it.

9. In combination a panel provided with an opening, a rectifier tube socket comprising a substantially flat annular ring of insulating material mounted on the rear side of the panel, contacts mounted on the rear side of the ring and each extending into the opening in the ring and provided with a spring socket to embrace a contact pin on the base of a tube inserted in the opening, locking members mounted on the front side of the panel each comprising a base on the panel and a spring finger adapted to extend over and engage the base of the tube in the socket and retain it therein, a bolt passing through the base, panel and body and adapted to turn in the panel and body, and means connecting the bolt and locking member to turn together so that turning of the bolt will swing the finger between a position over the tube base and a position at one side of the opening to release the tube.

10. A tube socket of the character described comprising an insulating body provided with an opening to receive the base of a rectifier tube provided with projecting contact pins, contacts on the inner side of said body each including a channel shaped member with one end portion of each of its side flanges extending into a position in alignment with a contact pin of such a rectifier tube when in the socket, each of said extended end portions being provided with an extension extending laterally in the same direction from one edge of its flange extension, said lateral extensions being concavely curved in upposite directions with their concaved surfaces extending tranversely of the extension and opposed to form a socket substantially parallel to the axis of the opening to embrace a contact pin, and a coiled spring embracing said curved portions to clamp them about the pin.

11. A tube socket of the character described comprising a substantially fiat plate of insulating material provided with an opening to receive the base of a tube and with radially extending channels in the inner side surface, contacts mounted in said channels each comprising a body portion seated in the channel and extending into the opening in the plate to form a seat for the base of the tube to support it, opposed resilient flanges extending beyond said body portion and into said opening and oppositely concaved providing a curved spring socket extending transversely of said flanges and parallel to the axis-of the opening to receive and embrace a contact pin on the tube base when said base is in the opening, and means for securing a lead wire to each contact.

HARVEY HUBBELL. JOSEPH F. HEALY.

(References on following page) REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 7 Name Date Sinclaire Mar. 15, 1927 Juergens et a1 Aug. 15, 1933 Anderson Jan. 14, 1936 Woods July 2, 1940 Number FOREIGN PATENTS v Country Date England of 1926 England Sept. 4, 1930 England of 1931 Germany May 24, 1922 England of 1932 England of 1933 England of 1939 France Feb. 15, 1937 

